Good Beer Hunting - The Michigan Beer Film Screening

Hops, barley, and starch are basic ingredients that can be found in your favorite beer - but what really goes into making good beer?  For Chicogoan, Michael Kiser this question has become a passion.  Kiser’s love for beer lead him to start up Good Beer Hunting, a company dedicated to telling the story of beer and its enthusiasts.  The hunt has taken him all over the United States, although he admits he has an especially fond appreciation for the beer movement that is rising up in Michigan. 

 On Saturday, March 29^th Kiser hosted a screening of the documentary, The Michigan Beer Film, at the Good Beer Hunting home base, 2557 North Ave.  Created by Michigan based media company, Rhino Media, the 119 minute-long documentary highlights the craft beer industry in Michigan, with a focus on the raw entrepreneurship of its breweries. 

Before the screening, guests enjoyed samplings of two Greenbush Brewing Co. beers, Sotto Voce, an American brown ale, and Sheep In Tall Grass, a scotch ale.  More than 45 tickets were sold for the event, impressively filling up the GBH space for one of their first events. 

The screening concluded with an enthusiastic Q&A session with Kiser and director, Kevin Romeo.  One attendee asked what the inspiration was for making the film.  Romeo responded that Rhino Media acknowledged that people desired a film documenting the beer industry in Michigan, so they made it happen.  “A lot of artists talk, but we want to be artists that do,” said Romeo.  

Looking at the consistent growth of the beer industry over the past decade, it makes you wonder, "why now?".  While many factors play their part, Kiser suggests that the consumer’s desire for quality goods has heightened.  “People are fascinated with local, they are fascinated with flavor, and they are fascinated with businesses that they can go support tangibly,” said Kiser.  “There is something happening that’s much bigger, [but] beer can survive that weight.“

The Michigan Beer Film will continue to travel around Michigan and surrounding states.  For more information on screenings check out http://mibeerfilm.com/.

The Michigan Beer Film Director, Kevin Romeo enjoys a Greenbush Brewing Co. beer and meets with guests before the film screening. 

Michael Kiser, founder of Good Beer Hunting, introduces The Michigan Beer film and director, Kevin Romeo before the film screening begins.  


- Perry Fish
Lifestyle & Events Blogger